the next morning ushers in new festivities! To-day
the Elector gives a splendid entertainment to the royal family and the
chief nobility. At table the Queen sits on his right hand, on his left
Princess Hildegarde, the King's daughter.

The Elector is cheerful and unembarrassed in manner; she is thoughtful,
reserved, and silent. She is wont to be so lively and talkative in her
girlish innocence. The Elector, however, knows not that her manner is
changed. His heart is a stranger to her, and his glances say no more to
her than to all other pretty women! In the evening he dances with her
at the Queen's ball--that is to say, the Elector dances with the King's
daughter, but not the young man with the beautiful young girl.

Will he not propose? The Queen hints at the great honor which they destine
for him; the King says tenderly to him that he would esteem himself happy,
if he could call so noble a young Prince his son. But the Elector
understands neither the Queen nor the King, he is silent and does not
propose. He is so modest and diffident--perhaps he dare not. They must
wait awhile. If he has not declared himself on the last day of his visit,
they must take the initiative and woo him, since he will not woo.

On this last day it is the Princesses who give a ball to the Elector--a
splendid masquerade, for which they have been preparing three months,
arranging costumes and practicing dances. A half mask is to-day well
chosen for the Princess Hildegarde, for it conceals her agitated features,
her anxious countenance. She knows that to-day her fate is to be decided!
She knows that at the close of this _fete_ she is to be betrothed to the
Elector of Brandenburg.

Yes, since he will not woo, he must be wooed! The King's daughter, the
Emperor's grandchild, is exalted so high over the little Elector, the
powerless duke, that he actually can not venture to sue for her hand, but
must have his good fortune announced to him.

Count Gerhard von Doenhof is selected by the King to execute this delicate
commission, and doubts not that his proposition will be auspiciously
received.

He requests of the Elector an interview in the little Chinese pavilion
near the conservatory, and with smiling, free, and cordial manner tells
him how much the Queen and King love him.

"And I reciprocate their feelings with all my heart," answers the
Elector. "These delightful days, like brilliant stars, will ever live in
my remembrance. Tell their Majes